John Hamblin, chief executive of Shekinah Mission which runs Factory Row and is one of the campaign partners, said since the last survey the overall number has risen from 28 to 40.

John Hamblin, chief executive Shekinah Mission

“We have seen an increase,” he said. “But this time we also interviewed people in cold weather night shelters who would otherwise be rough sleeping. The increase is a worrying trend, but it is happening nationally and has risen nationally for seven years.

“These were new people in Torbay, not the same as in the last survey in April. It is also really concerning that there were nine females in their early 20s. For me the number of newly homeless people we came across was concerning, some have only been homeless for a couple of weeks and were not the stereotypical people who have fallen into rough sleeping over the years. A number had never been homeless before and found themselves on the floor in a shelter wondering what had happened.”

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In 2016/17 there were 169 different individuals who slept on the streets.

Volunteers conducted the second survey of the homeless last month, in Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham, with both rough sleepers and those in night shelters and the evening drop-in at Roebuck House, Torquay, and talked to 40 people across five nights. Extra shelter has been provided in the coldest months in the Bay which should mean nobody has to sleep rough.

The Torbay End Street Homelessness campaign

Just under 70 per cent said they usually slept in public spaces, outdoors. Fifteen per cent slept in overnight shelters and ten per cent in homeless hostels.

The others sleep in a mobile tent or home, or are sofa surfing in other people's homes. Some 41 per cent have been homeless for up to six months, 15 per cent for between six months and a year, 18 per cent between five and ten years, eight per cent for more than ten years.

Of those 67 per cent said they were managing to access basic things like bathing, change of clothes, using toilets, getting food and clean water - but a third said they were not.

When asked, 51 per cent of respondents said that they have a mental health issue that would make it hard for them to live independently.

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Half had lost housing in the past due to drinking or drug use, and 53 per cent felt that this may be an issue in the future. Shockingly 44 per cent of respondents reported having a chronic health issue. A third of respondents had an issue with drinking or drugs, plus a chronic physical health issue plus a mental health issue.

Volunteers from the Torbay End Street Homelessness campaignton speaking with homeless people in Torbay (Image: Facebook/Torbay End Street Homelessness)

Asked if their current period of homelessness been caused by an experience of emotional, physical, psychological, sexual or other type of abuse or other trauma that you have experienced 41 per cent said yes. Asked if they had planned activities other than surviving that make them feel happy and fulfilled, slightly more than half 51 per cent said they didn’t

The survey is part of the Torbay End Street Homelessness campaign which wants to get to know every homeless person by name and assess their needs, track their progress, build co-ordinated housing and support systems, and end homelessness.

Among the next steps are an assessment of those who are at risk of premature death so they can be prioritised, for the outreach team to make contact and get permission for multi agency team to work with individuals, and work focusing on finding housing and support.

Volunteers from the Torbay End Street Homelessness campaignton speaking with homeless people in Torbay (Image: Facebook/Torbay End Street Homelessness)

A new volunteer scheme will be established to help people move from life on the streets into sustaining a home and overcoming problems like loneliness and practical difficulties. They will monitor progress weekly until the person is settled.

Mr Hamblin said: “We are looking for people who can help with befriending, for that transition period, about establishing the new home but maybe meeting them for the odd cup of coffee, helping them develop new circles of friends and support.”

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The volunteer co-ordinator, appointed as part of the £400,000 Government support for the campaign, is Julie Bakewell who can be contacted on julile.bakewell@shekinah.co.uk for offers of help.

The campaign also aims to meet representatives of businesses in Torquay to communicate the work that is already happening and plan how to work together. The Killing with Kindness campaign, run previously in Torbay in 2015, to encourage giving to charities supporting the homeless rather than individuals, is to be re-launched. The proceeds will be used to help those who move from the streets into homes with essential items.